Pact

Monday, October 24, 807

It's been three weeks since I received that box, and I haven't been able to figure out who sent it to me. I thought they might want to blackmail me or force me to do something, but it seems they don't want to reveal themselves. What worries me is that this person knows Leya's story... Anyway, the pills they gave me are sufficient for several months. In the future, I'll have to figure out what to do if they don't provide more.

~Ring ring ring ring ring~

Damn alarm, how dare it interrupt my thoughts? I turn it off and go back to sleep under the covers.

"Ban! Ban! You need to get up! You'll be late!" Leya tries to pull the covers off me, but I resist.

"Please, Leya, let me sleep a little longer. It's only eight in the morning. It's early!"

I don't feel her pulling anymore. I must have convinced her, so I'll get another ten minutes of sleep. But any hope of continuing to sleep is shattered by the sound of her light jump onto the bed.

Against my expectations, she's almost completely recovered. She has grown about twenty centimeters and put on some weight; now she's a healthy sixteen-year-old. I had to buy her new clothes because the old ones were too tight, but that's understandable. Now I just need to talk to Mary and figure out what to do with her.

"Come on, get up, you're heavy."

"I can't. Last time when you said you would sleep a bit more, you got up at nine-thirty."

Oh... Technically, I didn't lie. It's just that the classroom lessons are getting increasingly boring, especially now with another instructor alternating with Mary. Hero Hans York, teaching the best ways to approach demons and handle all kinds of situations. The only thing I find amusing is supporting the practical exercises; at least there's some movement there.

A slight shiver runs through my body: talking about movement reminds me of the training clashes with that psychopath Koto.

"Fine, I get it. I'll get up and get ready."

Despite my surrender, she still doesn't budge.

"So, you wanted this..." I tell her threateningly.

I hug her from under the covers and wrestle-style slam her onto the bed, so now the tables have turned.

"Ahaha, let me go! I get it, I was wrong!"

A long yawn prompts me to release my grip, then I get out of bed.

"Shall I get you some croissants for breakfast?"

She nods while getting back under the covers.

....

10:30 AM

Today, Instructor York is explaining what to do if we ever encounter the Blood demon...

"You know, I clashed with him a few years ago. Needless to say, I defeated him quite easily. My comrades were wide-eyed and couldn't stop asking me questions. But that always happens to the best Heroes, so some of you should get used to it in the future."

... but every time he goes on and boasts about his exploits.

"If you've already defeated him, why should we learn how to face him?" Soichiro asks a legitimate question, and I'm trying to hold back my laughter, knowing how this will end.

"Cadet Shin Soichiro... It's true I defeated him, but at that moment, I didn't have my special weapon. I managed to kill him only with a traditional weapon. Now he might return, provided he hasn't already returned."

"Ah..." Soichiro remains open-mouthed, struggling to understand his self-praising speech.

'This Hero talks a bunch of nonsense.' This is the common thought in the class from the first lesson.

Everything he says about his heroic career is a product of his imagination, manipulating reality to make it seem different. But at least the information he gives about demons is reliable.

"Anyway, you need to know that just before his appearance in a specific location, the ground starts bleeding. That's how I defeated him in the past because citizens warned the Heroes in time. Remember one thing. Never step on that type of ground, as it drains all your vitality."

Ah... now I understand. The author described Instructor York as thirty-five years old, but he looks closer to fifty. I thought I remembered wrong, but apparently, I was mistaken.

Yumiko raises her hand.

"You may speak! " York permits her with an air of condescension.

Yumiko stands up and asks him a question: "If we can't get close to him, how can we defeat him?"

"That's quite simple... only one category of Hero can do it: archers. They stay at a reasonable distance and then shoot him in complete safety."

"Mmmh, so Instructor York, did you use a regular bow to kill him?"

I look at Yumiko; I can see some mischief in her question.

"E-Exactly. Unfortunately, at that moment, I didn't have my trusted bow, so I had to make do. The important thing is that no one was hurt on that occasion."

Yumiko looks pleased and sits back down.

Meanwhile, Soichiro raises his hand.

This slightly surprises me because he usually asks without raising his hand, just like he did before.

The instructor signals that he can ask, so Soichiro starts reading something on his phone:

"-April 804. The Blood demon attacks the town of Strok, causing the death of fifty-three people. More than two hundred are injured. -

Instructor, are you referring to this attack?"

York starts looking at him very annoyed.

"The Blood demon can be very cunning and malicious; you need to stay focused and not fall into his traps. Instructor Ross has surely described his appearance to you. Be careful with those blood clots on his body, as they can shoot blood arrows. This makes him a formidable fighter in both close combat and long-range."

In the end, he evaded Soichiro's question, who looks at him thoughtfully.

Without a moment's pause, Koto raises his hand, asking to speak.

"Cadet Seiji Koto... Go ahead." An already exhausted York says to him.

"The Blood demon can attack with his arrows and defend against close-range attacks by manipulating the terrain, controlling his own blood. I was wondering if he could also control others' blood." He asks with particular curiosity.

From what I know, he could do it within a certain range.

"It's indeed an interesting question, but there haven't been any confirmations yet. Both I and my comrades fought him, and none of us noticed any strange occurrences."

But probably only I know this...

I hear some chuckles on my sides until a voice asks me: "Why do you have that face? Are you afraid he might control your blood... Eh, Azka Ban?" It's the same cadet I had yawned in the face weeks ago. Since then, he started making all kinds of jokes. I have no idea what his name is, and it's surprising how little I care to find out.

"Why do you have that face? I hope you're scared too; otherwise, I have bad news." I sarcastically reply, keeping my eyes fixed on the instructor.

Not receiving any further response, I presume that silence is the best thing he can offer.

....

12:45 PM

The lesson ends.

I quickly leave the class because I had an appointment with Mary in her office to discuss Leya. So, I go down the stairs and reach the third floor.

I walk along the corridors, trying to remember where her office was.

-Hero Office Maria Ross-

"Found it."

I knock on the door.

"Come in." She replies concisely and quite quickly.

I enter calmly. This is our first meeting after that strange discussion.

"Good morning, instructor."

She remains seated behind her desk.

"Sit down."

I take a seat. Last Friday, I had requested a meeting with her, stating that I would accept her proposal if she agreed to my conditions.

She eyes me, then asks: "So... what are these conditions?"

Hoping for the best, after sighing inwardly, I say:"The first condition is that you won't ask any more questions about what I'll ask you later..."

She looks at me with a smile, which is quite unsettling coming from her.

"So... What are the other conditions?" She asks, seeing me hesitate.

"I want you to enroll someone in the first year of the academy..."

"Who are you talking about?"

"My sister... Azka Leya."

She looks surprised.

"Your sister...? I thought you were an orphan; the records show you have no relatives."

I continue to look at her without answering.

"The first condition, huh...?" She mutters to herself.

I give a slight smile.

"Come here at eight sharp tomorrow morning and bring... your sister." By saying these words, she has effectively accepted my conditions.

"Thank you, instructor. See you tomorrow!" With these words, I escape from the office, avoiding the constant pressure that makes it impossible to relax in there.

....

4:00 PM

I'm in my room, and I still haven't told Leya anything. How will she take it? Will she be happy? Angry? Cry?

In these weeks, she has gotten closer to me, and we almost seem like childhood friends. From my perspective, I know her from what the author narrated, but she... Why?

"Leya, can I talk to you? It's important..." I ask, mustering up the courage.

She's sitting in the armchair with crossed legs, watching TV.

"What's up, Ban?"

"I talked to Mary; tomorrow I'll take you to meet her."

"Mary? You mean that instructor?" She responds, still staring at the TV.

I nod and continue: "Tomorrow... probably tomorrow... Mary will make you a cadet at the academy. So, she'll give you a dorm room."

"Oh... That's kind of her." She says happily.

She took it well. Why was I so worried?

"Tonight, before going to sleep, organize your things in the boxes. Then I'll transfer them to your room through my phone."

"Mmmh, okay, Ban."

Better than I expected. Now it's time for me to get ready to go to the gym.

....

5:15 PM

I just finished my set of weightlifting. I'm improving day by day, and I can feel that I've become stronger. Now I'll go for a run before meeting Koto.

....

5:55 PM

I see Koto arriving at the gym, so I finish my run and go wipe off the sweat.

It's only been a few weeks, and I already have sculpted abs. It surprises me because I'm gorging on pizza at least twice a week... At least this reminds me that I'm living in a fictional world.

"Ready for training?" He asks while lightly touching the sheath of the sword attached to his belt.

"Give me a moment; I'll grab a drink."

I'm also improving in sword technique.

No, maybe I'm exaggerating on that... Let's say I can defend myself and counterattack, even though I feel that Koto continues to hold back during our matches.

"After today, I won't come for the rest of the week because I have to study for the test on Monday." He declares with a slightly disappointed look.

Test on Monday? What test?

I toss the empty bottle into a bin.

"What test?" I ask him in surprise.

"The written exam at the end of the month. Instructors have been reminding us every day!"

"Ah..."

Since I sleep in class most of the time, I must have missed these updates.

Well, written exams will be a walk in the park.

Seeing me indifferent, he gives me a little smile, then asks:"Want to make a bet?"

Mmmh? His gambling nature is taking over.

"What bet?" I talk to him while grabbing my sword from the phone.

"Whoever gets the highest score on that test has to ask something of the winner. Deal?"

He asks it quite decisively. It seems like he wants something from me.

"Sure. But what would you intend to ask me?" I show him my perplexity. What do I have to offer him? I would be the only one benefiting from this bet, in case of victory, of course.

We walk towards the training room.

"I'll tell you once I win. And you, Ban, what will you ask me?"

"I don't know. I'll wait for the right moment to force you to do something."

"Alright then."

He extends a hand, and I shake it warmly.

....

7:00 PM

We leave the training room.

He completely wrecked me.

I don't think I'm that weak... it's just that he's too strong.

He probably noticed that I've improved, so he went even harder on me.

He greets me, and I head back to my room, intending to ease my fatigue with a nice hot bath.

The TV is off; Leya probably didn't find anything interesting and went to rest.

"Ban..." She says with a sad tone, coming out of the bedroom and looking at me by the door.

"Yo! I'm about to wash up, so you have like fifteen seconds to figure out if you need the bathroom or not."

She's starting to cry.

But...? Doesn't she understand when I'm joking?

"Don't cry, come on. I was just joking. I'll give you a minute." I'm still a gentleman.

"You're stupid!"

She shuts herself in her room, slamming the door.

Could it be... she's on her period?

....

7:45 PM

I'm still immersed in the bathtub.

It's too relaxing to step out.

I haven't thought about it for long, but what should I discuss with Mary in the end?

Future events are off the table; in case, I'll just speculate on what might happen.

Initially, I'll be somewhat specific, then over time, I'll become more vague, hoping to lose her interest.

Maybe that could work.

Anyway, I should try to enjoy every moment I spend here, hoping my future doesn't completely fall apart.

I step out of the tub and dry myself.

My muscles have really become more toned.

Although I can't quite explain the speed at which it happened, it's still a good thing.

I get dressed and leave the bathroom.

....

8:15 PM

Tonight, we'll have pizza, just for a change.

I approach the bedroom, hoping she's gotten over her anger from earlier.

"Leya, we'll be eating soon. Come out."

...

Still upset?

"I need to buy the pizza. How do you want it?"

She's approaching the door, then opens it slowly.

She looks at me with red eyes, diverting my attention from the phone.

Has she been crying?

"Is everything okay?"

I only realize how silly that question is after saying it. It's evident that it's not.

"Tomorrow, we'll be separated?"

Ah, I should have understood that's why she was angry earlier.

"It won't be that bad.

You'll have your own room, and we can still see each other in class, right?

Now you're free to go wherever you want. I won't force you to stay locked in a room anymore, isn't that good?"

Why do I feel like I'm acting like a father?

She remains leaning against the door, looking at me with a sad expression.

"But I feel good with you."

It seems she's about to cry again, so I decide to hug her. To comfort her, but also because I can't bear to see her cry.

"You're really a crybaby.

You shouldn't cry so easily."

"I know, but I can't help it. I'm sorry for earlier..."

We stay like that for a while until I hear my stomach growl.

"I'm hungry, can we go eat now?"

She nods, then speaks softly: "I want the one with tomato, mozzarella, and spicy salami."